Pi Girl

This weekend was pretty jam-packed with my friend’s grandmother dying, a bar crawl and a high school reunion. Kind of a big roller coaster - and that’s emotionally, mentally and physically.

But I’m happy to report that I am in one piece and don’t regret anything. Well, except for telling people I was going to throw up last night because it invoked sympathy and I never did get sick.

Anyway, funerals suck. Especially if it’s the 2nd one you’ve been to in 3 days. But, the service was very nice and I am glad I got to see Annie and the Gilfoyle clan - it’s been too long since I spent time with them.

Bar crawls are very fun. I got through all 8 bars, remember all of it, and wish I had brought my camera. Our shirts were stylin’ this year (kudos to Amber) and we made everyone jealous wherever we went. I really think we did the crawl right this year, spending more time at each bar and not chugging so much. It probably also helped that there weren’t as many bars open this year as in year’s past. Highlights of the evening include: Eric - because everything he said and did was its own highlight, watching Mom’s former students get way too personal with her, getting gravy fries and a chocolate milkshake at the B’ville Diner.

The class reunion was also holding a “pub crawl” that night so we ran into many of our classmates. I recognized very few people, which was kind of scary. I was the most freaked out when a girl walked up to Amber and me, striking up a conversation with us about life after high school. I did not recognize her, but when she said her name, it all came back to me. This girl was the biggest bully to me in the 6th grade. I hated her, a lot. And here she was, going on about how she remembered Amber and I were always together in high school and here we were, still together, and how good we looked, and here’s her husband and picture of the kid. It was so surreal. I was so tempted to say something like, “How do you remember my social circle in high school, you were so mean to me?!” But I didn’t - maybe that kamikaze shot I did numbed my tongue.

So going into the actual reunion, I was a mess. I just did not want to go. Fortunately, just like high school, I had my girls Amber, Jen and Jill to go with me. And I drank alot of wine before we went too.

But the reunion was quite painless. I reminded myself that my lack of social status 10 years ago did not matter, I had a list of people I really wanted to see and catch up with. Only a third of the list were there, but it was well worth it to see them. The food was good, the gin and tonics were better and my husband renamed himself Steve Stiffler. I might have killed him but when I saw it, he was accompanied by Amber’s renamed boyfriend, Dirk Diggler, and Vanessa had turned into Stiffler’s Mom. Plus, I was pretty wasted by then and enjoying my chats with Shannon and Tracy, so I actually found it quite amusing.

So, yea for me, I got through my high school reunion. And I had fun. Panic attack is over.

Most people would throw a party or get a really cool present. I did neither since a) I have not the domestic talent to plan, clean and/or cook for a party and b) I have no money.

Instead, I suggested a trip to see the family. And if there also happened to be a beach nearby, so much the better.

So we hung out in Maryland for a bit, then wandered over to Delaware for a few days. There were several celebratory meals had in Jason’s honor. Some purpoises did a dance. A bird tried to eat Jason. I got burned even wearing spf 45 and keeping my head under a beach umbrella (go, Irish skin!). An old grandmother type taught a big tattooed guy with horns sticking out of his nose how to do a jig when getting a hole-in-one playing mini golf.

A nice, relaxing weekend trip for the hubby’s birthday. Now I can welcome in the anxiety I’m about to face for the high school reunion. Eek!

Last night was the big Summer Sing concert and ice cream social for Crystal Chords. I was so amazed at how many people showed up, which didn’t help my nerves any. I had already spent most of yesterday feeling like I was going to throw up. Thank God I didn’t.

The chorus sang a few tunes, the quartets sang some tunes as well. Both of my quartets sounded good. We’re in Treble Now nailed the chords we were having problems with in rehearal. And people could hear the difference in my sound in Affinity after our coaching session last week, which was nice to hear. By night’s end, I felt like a star. Of course, my ego was boosted because I had a whole cheering section.

I love that Jason and Amy and the Hendricks were there - even if the Hendricks didn’t even remember I was in Crystal Chords when they came. But, I was so thrilled that Mom, Jim and Amber came all the way down from B’ville. It meant so much to me to share my new love with them and let them hear what I’ve been doing.

And when Jimmy, the harshest of music critics, can pull out high praise for your sound, you know you’re doing well. He’s already got a list of songs he wants my group to try. (Although Phish may be pushing it a little with the barbershop-listening crowd - but, hey, maybe it will encourage more young hippies to join!)

Quote of the night goes to Jim: “That tall director dude is real goofy but, man, he knows his stuff!”

I didn’t go up there today, but like a good Online Manager, I am checking my site frequently to make sure updates look good and to see how Bill “Crash” Church’s first ever blog is going.

Apparently, I missed quite the shindig up there today as a couple got hitched right in the Winner’s Circle.

“I pledge my love to you and Dale Earnhardt Jr for now and forevermore or until a better driver comes along…”

Yes, I went up there again. This time, I went because I love the Crystal Chords and we fundraise by going up to the track and selling Watkins Glen International paraphenalia. At least there were Wine Festival t-shirts, so I managed to put myself on manning that table.

All this means that instead of tip-toeing around campers, they’re awake and they want anything and everything that shares their undying loyalty to whatever brand name sponsors their favorite driver. I’m no longer people-watching, I’m people-interacting and want to run away from. *shudder*

Let me just summarize with this: I recognize that “dignity” is very subject to interpretation at one of these events, but there must be some level of self-respect when you venture into public.

I know it’s sunny and hot. But you are not Catherine Bach or Jessica Simpson, do NOT try the Daisy Duke look on yourself. Wear a bra or something that gives you support. If you are bigger than the average American, do NOT walk around without a shirt on and think you can get away with suspenders to cover your man boobs. Please do not whistle at me just because it’s raining hardcore and “it’s like a natural wet t-shirt contest.”

I was going to list the top ten worst t-shirt slogans, but I’m too embarrassed to put them in cyberspace anywhere associated with my name. So, you’ll just have to wait until I talk to you in person.

Race fever is on. NASCAR has invaded Watkins Glen for the weekend. Can you feel the excitement? (this might be more effective if you could hear the sarcasm in my voice or see the horrified look on my face)

If I worked anywhere else, I could probably avoid the whole thing, but I work at a newspaper and this is one of our biggest events of the year. I get the added bonus of an early morning rise to do my dept. headly duty and hawk papers at the campground at the track. At least the experience leaves me with plenty of prime people-watching.

This year was not as exciting as in year’s past. For one thing, we don’t hawk the papers anymore. Thanks to a wonderful advertiser, we can provide the papers at no cost to the campers. So, you can just throw the paper on the campsite and skidaddle. You really miss that opportunity to catch the campers at their finest as they stumble out of the tents, rvs, school buses, the couch they brought from home, all hungover and sunburnt.

So this morning, it was quiet at 5:30 (yes, that’s in the morning). I waded through fancy tent set-ups, beer can pyramids, and tried not to hit anyone who had fallen asleep with their feet in the campfire. After walking through the family camping area, I decided I really needed to find my redneck roots and golf-carted it out to “way out there” - past where the track ends and if you see anyone awake, it’s because they’re still partying from the night before.

I saw a yard sale - Mom, I was so tempted to pick you up a pink flamingo advertising Rusty Wallace’s excellent driving skills. Or the 3 foot tall Barbie. Or the Christmas tree. Lucky for you, there was no room in the cart because of all the papers we were lugging.

One group of sites centered their campers and tents around a blowup doll lifted oh so high for all the world to see how they enhanced her assets.

And just like every year, I had this intellectual conversation with 3 different people:

Me: “Would you like a paper?”
Them: “I can’t read.”
Me: “There are lots of pictures.”
Them: “Ooh, I like pictures. Can I have more than one?”
Argh!!!

I’m still tired. Just when I had almost recovered from Summer Conference, I had to go and sing for a grueling 3 hours yesterday.

Not that I usually consider singing grueling. But when you sing for Dave Carr, you’d better be working hard.
Dave Carr is a fantastic coach in the barbershopping community. When you sing with the best, you get to work with the best too.

So there we were: singing our hearts out in a hot little church in Lafayette. And we sounded so freakin’ good. Dave made us match every chord until it locked and rang. We weren’t even there 10 minutes before he pulled me into the bathroom so I could sing into the mirror and watch myself singing so I could feel what he was looking for. It was exactly what I needed and while it felt weird at first, I could hear the difference in our sound.
A committee from the church was there meeting to discuss their 200th anniversary celebration and asked us on the spot to come and be their entertainment. Too bad we’re already committed to sing in the Mark Twain show, but it was so nice to be asked.

When we started this quartet, most of my excitement was at being to able to surround myself with the fabulous sounds of über-tenor Donna, über-baritone Anne and über-bass Michelle; just listening to them all day is an absolute treat. But after working with Dave, I’m starting to feel like I could really be on par with their excellence.

*sigh of happiness*

If you’re in the Horseheads area on Tuesday, the Crystal Chords are holding a Summer Sing concert and ice cream social. You can eat some ice cream and listen to the melodious sounds of the chorus. Both my quartets, Affinty and We’re in Treble Now, will be performing as well.

Tuesday, August 16 at 7 pm
First United Methodist Church
Broad St, Horseheads

I’m back from the Summer Conference. I’m exhausted, probably could use some more sleep. But darn that stupid “real world” thing, I’m back at work with emails and messages and stuff piled up to my ears. And yes, I’m blogging at work. With so much in my head, I decided if I get it all down now, I should be good to concentrate on work for the rest of the day.

Anyway, the conference was AWESOME! I love how spending time with the kids can really revitalize me and be so thankful for what is left of youth ministry in the diocese. I have pictures and will post them later when I’m more organized. Until then, I leave you with this:

Amber and Deena - thank you a million times for letting me come and play! You had the best staff and the conference worked well because of your contributions. Come to think of it, it was kind of like a conference for us old school types and the kids just got to go along for the ride. Seriously, who had more fun???

Kate - I never want to see another baby in a frying pan. Ever. I will send Jimmy after you if we have to.

Jim and Andrew - Your music rocked! Get over the little teeny tiny moment when there was a little mishap. Because we need you 2 around for a long time to come. And you 2 crack me up.

Especially you, Shimmy Jimmy! Let me know how the prom goes with Leah. I expect to hear about your moonwalking skills.

Oranges in Pajamas - I, of course, am never biased but I always manage to end up with the best small group at every event. Matt, thanks for always speaking up and keeping our conversations moving. Mary, you keep me laughing and I love your stories. Sam, thanks for opening up and showing us your moves, you shined the most when you whipped off your pants for the dance-off! Katie, acting and singing talent? Hello, when are you going to Broadway?!?!? You rock, chica! Amber, thanks for putting you, J Ro and me in the same group. Jason, thanks for taking one (or 6 or 7) for the team.

I seriously could go on and on, but needless to say, I can name 34 people right now who rock, a lot. But for now, I will end with the blessing Mother Nancy Betz so wisely quoted:

May God bless you with discomfort at easy answers, half truths, and superficial relationships, so that you may live deep within your heart.
May God bless you with anger at injustice, oppression and exploitation of people, so that you may work for justice, freedom and peace.
May God bless you with tears to shed for those who suffer from pain, rejection, starvation and war, so that you may reach out your hand to comfort them and turn their pain into joy.
May God bless you with enough foolishness to believe that you can make a difference in this world, so that you can do what others claim cannot be done.
Amen

Ode to my hairdresser:

Oh Stephanie, I only see you twice a year
But you always know just what I want
You know the inner workings of my hair.
My way too thin and straight, boring brown hair.
Whether I want it longer, shorter, curlier
More color, less color
No matter how much damage I’ve done to it.
You make it shine and bounce.
So much so that I want to go dancing whenever I leave you.
If only there was a good place to go dancing here.
Thank you, Stephanie, thank you a million times over!

——–
And I suppose those of you reading want pictures. Ok, I’ll take some and post them. The Summer Conference (aka Thornfield, back in the day) starts Thursday and we’re bringing the camera so I’ll try to drop my face in here and there.